Chapter 210
**Chapter 208: Sharing the Same Pillow**
The night was deep, and Li Yuanjing stepped into Yongning Palace.
Under the eaves shrouded in darkness, lanterns glowed brightly, and warm yellow candlelight spilled from within. The spring night was slightly cool, but Yongning Palace felt cozy.
Just like before.
Shen Wei was there to greet him, accompanied by palace maids.
Li Yuanjing looked over and saw Shen Wei joyfully emerging from the room. She had just bathed, her hair still damp, temporarily tied back with a green silk ribbon. She walked briskly, her light-colored dress billowing gracefully in the breeze.
Pure and simple, like a water lily.
“Your Highness—” Shen Wei called out happily, but as soon as the words left her lips, she seemed to realize her mistake.
She halted, her beautiful face showing a hint of embarrassment, and softly corrected herself, “Your Majesty.”
Her voice was gentle and soft.
Li Yuanjing reached out his hand, and Shen Wei placed hers into his large palm.
Their hands clasped together, reminiscent of countless nights in the Yan Wang Mansion—he returning home under the cover of night, she waiting joyfully at the door.
Li Yuanjing loved holding Shen Wei’s hand; it was always soft and warm. They walked through the lush courtyard, heading inside.
The crescent moon hung high in the night sky, stars twinkling. Li Yuanjing glanced sideways at the woman beside him, her features like a painting, and suddenly an idea struck him—he knew what title to give Shen Wei.
The delay in bestowing her a title wasn’t due to forgetfulness, but rather uncertainty about which character would be worthy.
“Kind and virtuous” felt too mundane.
After pondering for over half a year, he still couldn’t find a character that truly suited his Wei Wei.
Fortunately, tonight, he found the answer.
...
Upon entering the room, a subtle fragrance wafted through the air.
On the writing desk lay unfinished characters that Shen Wei had been practicing. Li Yuanjing picked up the xuan paper and glanced at it; she was writing “Spring Banquet.”
Shen Wei’s handwriting was neat and showed rapid improvement, and it bore a resemblance to his own style.
Li Yuanjing’s lips curled into a teasing smile. “Copying my handwriting?”
Shen Wei’s face flushed, and she stammered in denial, “N-no... not at all...”
Warmth spread through Li Yuanjing’s heart. In his mind, a tender scene unfolded: in the East Hua Mountain villa, Shen Wei cherished his letters, meticulously copying each character, every stroke a testament to her longing for him.
If she didn’t love him, how could she be so reluctant to part with his handwriting?
Shen Wei pulled Li Yuanjing to sit on the soft couch and personally fetched tea. “You had dinner with the Empress Dowager, so I prepared hawthorn tea for you. Please have some.”
In the translucent white jade cup was warm hawthorn tea, with slices of hawthorn floating, giving the liquid a faint reddish hue.
Li Yuanjing set the cup aside without drinking, extending his long arm to pull Shen Wei into his embrace.
His voice was hoarse, his dark eyes deep. “Let me see you.”
The palace maids serving in the room quickly lowered their heads and slipped out, drawing the long white beaded curtain behind them. The pearls clinked softly as they brushed against each other.
Holding Shen Wei, Li Yuanjing felt as if his empty heart had been filled. He scanned her lovely, radiant face inch by inch.
Shen Wei’s cheeks flushed, and she gazed intently at him. Her fair fingers brushed against his face, her eyes slowly reddening. “Your Majesty, you’ve lost weight... these past three years must have been tough.”
With the new emperor’s ascension, the court had undergone changes, new policies were implemented, and both internal and external troubles loomed. Li Yuanjing faced numerous challenges.
Yet, he had spent three years firmly grasping the reins of power. The stubborn old ministers dared not speak out, while the talented new officials found their place.
The civil war in the neighboring country had ended, and the border crisis was temporarily resolved. With internal and external troubles alleviated, Li Yuanjing was free to pursue his ambitions and usher in his own dynasty.
“I’m not tired anymore,” Li Yuanjing said, rubbing his fingers against Shen Wei’s, a smile flickering in his dark eyes.
Being an emperor was no easy task; the burdens were heavy, and no one could see the fatigue hidden beneath the surface. Only his Wei Wei would care whether he was tired, feel pain for him, and shed tears on his behalf.
In the golden bronze incense burner in the room, fragrant smoke curled upward. Shen Wei gazed at the emperor with deep affection, reluctant to look away, her nose tinged with a hint of sadness. “These three years, I’ve missed you so much...”
She lowered her head, tears glistening as they fell, her voice slightly hoarse, as if unable to contain her true feelings, murmuring to herself, “I really missed you...”
As she bowed her head, warm tears fell precisely onto the back of his hand.
Her emotional buildup tonight was perfectly orchestrated—watching from afar at the palace gates during the day, their reunion under the night sky evoking Li Yuanjing’s memories; leaving the xuan paper on the desk, each character a testament to three years of longing; sitting in his embrace, caressing his face and inquiring about his well-being; culminating in an emotional outpouring of her yearning.
Her performance unfolded gradually, layer by layer, building up to a final crescendo.
Li Yuanjing was indeed deeply moved, his heart feeling as if it had been struck by a heavy object, a bittersweet sensation spreading through him. “Wei Wei.”
The young emperor held his beloved tightly, with deep affection and fervor.
...
Outside, the night was dark, and Cai Ping and Cai Lian stood guard at the entrance of the sleeping quarters.
Cai Ping lowered her voice, wrapping her arm around Cai Lian’s. “Good sister, I’ve missed you so much! After waiting for ages, I’m so glad to have our master and you back.”
The three years in the palace had been stifling for Cai Ping.
Now she could return to serve Shen Wei, and had even become the head maid of Yongning Palace. With a raise in her monthly allowance and the chance to work alongside Cai Lian, life finally seemed promising.
Cai Lian poked Cai Ping’s forehead. “Now’s not the time for reminiscing. After serving the master, let’s have a drink tomorrow—by the way, is the hot water ready in the small kitchen?”
“Your Highness, there’s more to this chapter, please turn to the next page to continue reading. It gets even more exciting!”
Cai Ping nodded, her face beaming. “It’s all ready. The emperor and the master have been apart for three years; tonight, they’ll probably need hot water several times.”
...
On the warm and comfortable bed, Shen Wei had thought that tonight they would call for hot water a few times.
But in reality, Li Yuanjing lay beside her, not making a move!
The two simply chatted under the covers.
Shen Wei recounted amusing stories from East Hua Mountain, tales of Le You catching frogs, and the brothers Cheng Tai and Cheng You climbing trees.
Li Yuanjing shared stories about stubborn ministers, the obstacles he faced in implementing new policies, and a certain minister with an unpleasant odor.
There were things he couldn’t share with outsiders, but he wanted to tell Shen Wei everything. Only by her side did he feel at ease, as if he had returned home.
And so, they chatted away in the warmth of the blankets until late into the night. Eventually, Shen Wei felt drowsy and decided to take a bold step. She leaned in, her warm lips brushing against his.
Li Yuanjing was indeed stirred.
He wrapped his arms around Shen Wei’s slender waist and leaned down to kiss her gently.
Heat enveloped them, and Shen Wei began to loosen his wide robe. She had been exercising daily at East Hua Mountain, her physique excellent, more than capable of enduring Li Yuanjing’s passionate advances.
Let the storm come even stronger—
But her hands were caught, and Li Yuanjing smiled indulgently, leaning down to kiss Shen Wei again. “It’s late; let’s rest for now.”
After three years apart, though he longed for Shen Wei, he remembered how tired she must be after her long journey back to the capital. She surely couldn’t withstand his intensity.
With a compassionate heart, the emperor decided to let Shen Wei rest tonight and wait a few days before pursuing his desires.
Even Li Yuanjing himself didn’t realize that he was showing Shen Wei more respect and tolerance than ever before.
Shen Wei, unaware of the emperor’s thoughts, quietly withdrew her hands and obediently lay back on her soft pillow.
The lights in the room were extinguished, and the cool, silvery moonlight spilled through the window. Shen Wei heard the steady sound of breathing beside her.
Li Yuanjing had actually fallen asleep!
Shen Wei had taken a nap during the day and had bathed carefully at night, making herself fragrant and clean, yet Li Yuanjing hadn’t touched her.
Her heart was in turmoil, and a bold thought crossed her mind—could it be that the emperor was unable to perform!
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